Our Heritage

WE BELIEVE IN TRADITIONAL VALUES

The story of Hanna’s Cashew Queso began more than a hundred years ago on a small ranch in Sonora, Mexico. There the Reyna Ortega family harvested organic crops of fruits and vegetables and made handcrafted natural cheese. Hanna’s grandmother Paulina was the youngest child of 8 born into the family during the Great Depression, living a simple and abundant childhood on the ranch. Her mother Rosa tended the verdant gardens of squash, watermelon, grapes, native cactus nopales, she wove baskets, cooked homemade tortillas and delicious foods. Her father Francisco would tend the land, make cheese and travel by horse selling their fresh cheese to the surrounding communities. During the Depression they never went hungry or wanted for much, as they had an abundance of food of which they would barter in exchange for other goods, services and entertainment. Paulina learned to be industrious and to cook delicious foods from her siblings and parents. She took that knowledge with her when she married Bob, an American, and immigrated to the United States. She became a teacher, artist and incredible cook. Paulina’s daughter Yvonne grew up in the U.S. with frequent holidays and summers in Mexico and took a keen interest in natural foods and health. Yvonne also raised her children visiting the family ranch and beach in Sonora, tasting fresh foods from the land and teaching them all about health, wellness and nutrition. Her daughter Hanna took a special interest in health and eventually in the family business of creating food to nourish others.

Hanna grew up with her grandmother, Paulina, teaching her how to make green corn tamales, fresh tortillas, fresh beans, enchilada sauce, salsas, calabacitas, chiles rellenos and nopales. Hanna’s passion for cooking took off as she entered motherhood and wanted to only feed her family the best. Simultaneously her interest in nutrition took off as well. She became a teacher, counselor, retreat director and certified health coach specializing in plant-based nutrition. Over the years, Hanna created healthier versions of her family’s special recipes, maintaining the importance of fresh and delicious nourishment that is handcrafted with love.

Hanna loved cheese, but when she decided to adopt an all plant-based diet she knew she had to create a plant-based cheese that would truly satisfy, was exceptionally delicious, much healthier and versatile in recipes from around the world. After hours, weeks, months in the kitchen, she finally created the perfect, creamy Cashew Queso. She shared it with clients and retreat guests and they were IN LOVE. So next, she just had to share it’s yummy goodness with the world, and so Hanna’s Cashew Queso was born! In an unexpected turn of events, Hanna ended up becoming a modern day “artisan cheese maker”, continuing the legacy of her great-grandparents, now creating healthier plant-based cheeses which are still delicious, fresh and full of love!